USAL Logo PNG
Deep historical roots are visible in the emblem of the university. The USAL logo represents the institution as a carrier of extensive knowledge about the past and present of the country, which is passed on to students along with educational programs.
USAL: Brand overview
| Founded: | 1218 |
| Headquarters: | Salamanca, Castile and León, Spain |
| Website: | usal.es |
Meaning and History
Ranked among the oldest universities globally, USAL is distinguished by an impressive emblem, which consists of a name in a special typeface and an impressive round shield. An authentic logo is the university’s name, located in two tiers: the first – “Universidad,” the second – “D Salamanca.” Both words are individually printed in red.
Compositionally, they are conceived so that the initial letter meaning “U” is interpreted as the Roman number “V.” Another striking feature is the presence of two miniature lowercase “i” s among the uppercase letters. They effectively stand out from the rest, adding originality to the emblem.
What is USAL?
USAL is the abbreviated name for the University of Salamanca in Spain. The university is located in the commune of Castile and Leon, where King Alfonso IX founded it. It is considered one of the oldest in the world, as it was established in 1218. The name of King Solomon inspires its name.
The next nuance is an elongated wavy crossbar for all the “A” symbols. Such a graphic technique is played very interestingly because, in a nutshell, there are several of these letters. The “D” has a similar element.
In 2018, for the university’s 800th anniversary, a festive sign was developed, which was used for a limited time – only in the anniversary year. It was named “USAL 800 Year Seal” and is used on special occasions. Reflects the connection between the traditions of the university and the future. Its author is Miquel Barcelo.
The logo depicts the abbreviation “USAL” in the form of two dragons, emphasizing the university’s affiliation to ancient times. Below them is the inscription “800 anos”, and even lower – “1218-2018”. Moreover, this sign exists in several versions.
USAL: Interesting Facts
The Universidad de Salamanca (USAL), nestled in Salamanca, Spain, is not just the country’s oldest university but also one of the oldest in the world. It’s been a center for knowledge for centuries.
- Early Days: USAL started in 1134, gaining official status by 1218, thanks to King Alfonso IX. It got further endorsements from King Alfonso X in 1254 and Pope Alexander IV in 1255.
- Christopher Columbus: In the 1490s, Columbus consulted USAL scholars about sailing west to reach the Indies, highlighting the university’s role in historical explorations.
- Famous Connections: Notable alumni and faculty have walked its halls, like writer Miguel de Cervantes and explorer Hernán Cortés. Francisco de Vitoria, a figure in international law, also taught here.
- Plateresque Facade: The main building features a unique style with detailed carvings, including a well-known frog on a skull. Finding this frog is thought to bring good luck.
- Language Pioneer: USAL has been a go-to place for learning Spanish for centuries, even starting the first Spanish courses for foreigners in 1929.
- Treasure-Filled Library: Since 1254, its library has collected rare manuscripts and books, such as the “Libro de Buen Amor” and Columbus’s writings.
- Spanish Language Standardization: Antonio de Nebrija, a USAL scholar, wrote the first Spanish grammar in 1492, setting a standard for the language.
- School of Salamanca: In the 16th century, this group from USAL laid the foundations for modern economics, moral philosophy, and international law.
- Continued Growth: USAL keeps adding new subjects, blending modern studies with traditional humanities, and excelling in research.
- UNESCO Recognition: In 1988, Salamanca’s historic center and the university were named UNESCO World Heritage Sites, celebrating their architectural and educational significance.
The Universidad de Salamanca is a beacon of learning, showing how education shapes history and continues to enlighten future generations.
Font and Colors
The logo is based on ancient symbols around the knight’s shield surrounded by ancient fortress walls’ battlements. It is divided into several parts: one central one, which depicts the king sitting on a throne, and six sides (right and left), depicting lions, subjects, and castles. Above them are two crossed keys and a crown, as a direct confirmation of the monarchy’s connection. Around the graphic elements is the phrase “SIGILVM VNIVERSITATIS STVDII SALAMANTINI” in uppercase.
For the inscription, the designers used two fonts: Gloss Drop and the corporate Helvetic Neue. They also wrote the university’s motto in Spanish, “Deciamos ayer y diremos mañana,” which is present in some versions.
The modern color of the graphic sign is silver-gray, but it was once copper-brown. In addition to them, the corporate palette includes yellow, blue, orange (early versions), and red (appeared later).
USAL color codes
| Cinnabar | Hex color: | #e5312d |
|---|---|---|
| RGB: | 229 49 45 | |
| CMYK: | 0 79 80 10 | |
| Pantone: | PMS Bright Red C |
| Black | Hex color: | #000000 |
|---|---|---|
| RGB: | 0 0 0 | |
| CMYK: | 0 0 0 100 | |
| Pantone: | PMS Process Black C |